Order Offers More To Victims After Ryan Report

An religious order is to offer an increase in resources to victims abused in its care following the publishing of the Ryan Report.

The Oblate Order, who ran the notorious Daingean Reformatory in Co Offaly have said they will devote substantially more resources toward making ammends to children abused at the institution.

The announcement comes after calls from several of Ireland's most senior bishops and comes on the heels of a similar move by the Christian Brothers, who have said they will substantially boosted their reparations to victims of systemic abuse in their institutions following a consultation.

The Sisters of Mercy order, many members of which were also identified by victims as being responsible for abuse, have agreed to meet the Taoiseach and to co-operate in helping people in their care. The order have however so far made no mention of any financial reparations to victims.

The Ryan Report into the abuse of children in church-run institutions over six decades was released last week, recounting harrowing tales of systematic mistreatment and abuse, including sexual abuse, by lay and clerical staff in the institutions.

After publication of the report, the Government called for all 18 congregations at the centre of the child abuse scandal to make substantial offers of compensation to those abused at the reformatories.

In 2002 the 18 congregations responsible struck an indemnity deal with government, forcing them to contribute to a compensation pot of €128 million in exchange for protection against being sued by victims.

However, individuals affected by the horrifying abuse are still liable for prosecution.

"Those accountable for such crimes - no matter how long ago - must also face the full rigours of the law," said Mr Cowen.

An Assistant Garda Commissioner has been appointed to examine the potential for future prosecutions.

(DW/BMcc)